1^st. June 1843. Called on Miss Fielding, who gave me some curious particulars respecting M. K. and Miss Baillie. Left a card for Mr. Lackersteen - met T. Olliffe, who told me that an application had been made for the appointment of D^r. Carew to an ArchBishopric in partibus - he has got the title of the late Secretary of Propaganda - Edessa. A visit from D^r. Butler - he has been with the General of the Jesuits, who has encouraged him not to abandon the people of Liverpool - so he says he is sanguine of getting a letter from the Propaganda to the ArchBp. of Dublin. He was told by the General to talk over the matter with Fr. *Russell* - a remark dropped from Fr. Draper relative to myself - namely, that I was shortly to receive an appointment - a walk and a long talk on the Pincio with D^r. O'Reilly.

2nd. June 1843. Revd. Mr. Russell called - went with him on a picture excursion - a paper from Mr. Troy. Called in the evening at Villa Lante and found M. Hynes still indisposed. A walk on the Pincio with Mr. O'Reilly and T. Olliffe. Paid the Ospizio to the 3^rd. May inclusive.

3. Received a letter this morning from the Sotto *Priora* [Sub-Prioress?] of Villa Lante which alarmed me a good deal, as she requested to see me immediately on a very painful business. I thought it might have referred to M. K., but it regards the brother of Marcella Hynes whom they have heard through Count *Bontirlini* is out of his mind in Florence. This distressing affair has not been communicated as yet to Marcella. I have written to Mr. French to ascertain the truth of this report, which I fear is but too well founded. A paper from Mr. Troy. Butler's lawyer is working hard for him - he has been with Cards: Mai and Fransoni, and according to B's report he has made a favorable impression on them. Paid the taylor [sic] his bill - a visit from Fr. Francis.

4. Mr. O'Reilly heard Mass in our little chapel this morning and communicated - dined with Mr. O'Farrell - besides their own party and the Errington's we had Bp. O'Finan, Dean Lyons and D^r. Baggs. There is no truth it appears in the report that Miss Hamilton has become a Catholic. A General Congregation of Propaganda is to be held on the 19^th. Met Mr. O'Reilly in the afternoon and had a long walk with him and afterwards took tea with him.

5^th. Whit Monday. Received a letter from Mr. French, Florence, confirming the report which reached Villa Lante respecting T. Hynes. Dined with D^r. O'Reilly. Called at Villa Lante in the evening and saw the Mistress of Novices to whom I shewed Mr. French's letter. Saw also M. Hynes, who seemed very poorly. Wrote to Mr. French.

6^th. Addressed a letter to Cardinal Fransoni on my present position - a visit from Butler. Mr. O'Reilly called and gave me the benefit of a three hours' visit. Went over the affair of the Countess O'Donnell and wrote a letter to his brother-in-law at *Vienna*. His estates are mortgaged to the amount of £27,000. Mr. Errington appears to be the chief mortgagee. Butler says the Prior of the Carthusian Convent has been appointed a V. A. in the Indies. His Lawyer has gained in the *Possess quondam [???]*. Barber and present confidential Secretary Gaetano, who promises (receiving of course a bribe) to obtain from His Holiness whatever they want!!! can this be true? Called to take leave of D. O'Reilly.

7^th. D. O'Reilly left this morning for Vevey in Switzerland. This lawyer says that to succeed in Rome three P's are requisite - Pecunia, Pecunia, Pecunia [Money, Money, Money]!!!! What an immaculate tribunal to have to deal with - if true.

8^th. Made visits with D^r. O'Finan to the Erringtons and O'Ferrals - two letters from M. K. and one from Mr. French. Poor T. Hynes has become more tranquil and hopes are entertained of his recovery - a visit from Fr. Francis. Called at the Villa Lante and saw the Assistant Superioress, for whom I read Mr. French's letter. M. Hynes is confined to her bed. Had a walk with little Paddington - he tells me that D^r. Clancy expects to be off in a week or fortnight - can this be true?

9^th. Visit from Fr. Francis - ditto from Revd. Downing and Foot - a paper from Mr. Troy. Dean Lyons and McLaughlin are lately much together.

10^th Wrote to M. K. and sent the letter by Camillo to the Post office - a visit from Fr. Pentony. D^r. O'Finan has had a regular break up with Lyons and gave me the full benefit of the particulars. In the afternoon Butler called. He expects much from Gaetano. Paid Camillo his month's wages.

11^th. Trinity Sunday. A visit from Gagliardi the artist in reference to the paintings ordered for the Franciscan church at Carrick on Suir. D^r. Lyons and Fr. Nicholson called - the former very much mortified at what occurred between him and Bishop O'Finan. A visit from the ex-General Fr. Cipolletti, who leaves tomorrow for Viterbo.

12^th. A visit from Fr. Francis about the painting for Carrick. Ditto from D^r. Lyons to talk about *Killaloe*. Francis gives a frightful account of the state of S. Isidore's in the time of the late Guardian.

Butler's hopes of getting a letter from the Propaganda are at an end. The Cardinal absolutely refused it. His remark on B's secularization is not very flattering, saying that the Pope must have been asleep when he granted it. Bishop O'Finan and Fr. Cipolletti left today for Viterbo. A newspaper from Mr. Troy.

13^th. A letter from M. K. A visit from Butler. The Carthusian to whom he alluded some days ago as being named to an Indian Vicariate is destined for some place on the Malabar Coast. There is a report that D^r. Morris has arrived. No reply as yet to my letter to Fransoni. Took a long walk this evening to shake off the melancholy that is consuming me.

14^th. Looked at some pictures at the magasin near S. Carlo's for a Sagra Famiglia, a Deposizione della Croce, a Magdalene and an Ecce Homo, asked 80 *Luigi* - the first two are excellent, also the Madalen [sic].

Butler called in this afternoon. My early impressions regarding him are confirmed by every fresh interview. He appears to have a thorough disregard of truth in making a case for himself. He speaks again of a letter from the Bishop of Malta. I do not believe he has received any such - for why not show it, if as he says it is complimentary to him. The Cardinal Prefect has asserted that he has not been secularized through the Propaganda - that he has never had a letter from Propaganda in his favour to any quarter whatever - that he was never appointed Missionary Apostolic, the title of which he assumed - that he procured the office of Cameriere by intrigue etc. A report reached Propaganda some time back that he had written to Liverpool for fifty pounds to bribe a Cardinal! He denies it, but the thing is most likely, from the other instances of presents to lawyers, Cardinals, Secretary etc. etc. - which he disavows. There is no truth in the report of D^r. Morris' having arrived.

15^th. Corpus Christi. Did not go to S. Peter's. A visit from Fr. Downing to request I would assist at the procession of S. Augustine's - no go - a letter from Mr. French. T. Hynes, he says, has quite recovered his reason. Strange I have no letter from J. Ryan, generally so prompt a correspondent. A heavy fall of rain has deprived me of my usual afternoon's walk, the only exercise I have *continued [?]*.

16^th. Two papers from Mr. Troy and a letter from M. K. D^r. Kirby called and gave me the best news I have heard for a long time; that D^r. Clancy has been superseded and that I have been appointed in his stead. He must have been commissioned by the Propaganda folk to make this announcement to me. I am rejoiced that no one had it in his power to say that I have intrigued for this appointment: I have sought no influence, moved not a finger to achieve it - on the contrary I have kept aloof from the Propaganda to avoid the suspicion that I was desirous of supplanting D^r. Clancy. T. Olliffe and Mr. Lackersteen called to take leave - they start for Ireland tomorrow. V. Eyre called on his return from Naples - no message from the Henrys.

17^th. Wrote to Revd. J. Leahy and Mrs. Taggart, and posted the letter with my own hands - also to M. K. Received a letter for D^r. O'Finan from Liverpool and gave it to Butler to forward to him. B. has had bad news from Liverpool, the Bishop having ordered a circular to be read in all the Chapels that B's visit to Rome has resulted in failure. I fear very much that this B. makes free with D^r. O'Finan's name in his correspondence with Liverpool - and perhaps with my own. Returned V. Eyre's visit.

18^th. Had little sleep these two nights owing to the ringing of the bells, which have never ceased since Corpus Christi. Confirmed a little boy.

Calamata called and gives a sad account of Butler's doings in Malta from which he says *much was* mezzo cacciato [half concealed]- drinking etc. etc. Butler must be making free with D^r. Finan's name and my own in his correspondence; and this will perhaps account for young Weld's conversation with me some time back and his remark that B. was endeavouring to set up a party in Rome. Went to S. Peter's - nothing but processions these days.

19 June 1843. A Consistory is to be held this morning at which two Cardinals and several Bishops are to be preconized. Called at Miss Fielding's - a paper from Mr. Troy.

20^th. A visit from Fr. Francis. D^r. Clancy was up at S. Isidore's the night before last - he was also seen last evening - dressed as usual in round hat etc...I had my fears that he had left - a circumstance that would have been embarrassing on account of the documents which he has in his possession belonging to the Mission of B[ritish] Guiana. Called at a Studio in the Venetian palace.

From the circumstance of not having seen Butler since Saturday morning, I conjectured that he had failed in his attempt to delude the Propaganda and the Pope. On my return home tonight at half past eight o'clock I found B. near the Posterula waiting for me. He was to start at 11 o'clock, having failed in every thing. He is obviously flying to avoid detention. He had petitioned for an audience of the Pope and this morning was appointed but he says that it is the opinion of his lawyer that it was useless to talk to the Pope. I think the promised audience has been *withdrawn*. The memorial he gave to Gaetano, he says, has been referred by the Pope to Cardinal Fransoni - and this memorial thus referred by the Pope he has obtained possession of through the medium of his lawyer and takes it with him to Liverpool, thus intercepting its reaching Fransoni. He goes without a single line from any Cardinal, which he said he was so sure of having. He will impose further on O'Finan and will probably extract from him some letter to his friends in Liverpool which will seriously damage poor F's character. What has become of the patronage of the General of the Jesuits, Cardinals Castracane, Mai and Acton - there was not, I am sure, a single word of truth in all he said regarding these persons, and which D^r. O'Finan so implicitly believed.

20^th. June 1843. The Propaganda is elevated somewhat in my eyes from its firmness in discountenancing and unmasking this man. D^r. O'Finan thinks that every thing, any judgment may be obtained here for money - and yet here is [a] circumstance in which a person availed himself of the most unscrupulous bribery, of subordination, had a brace of cunning lawyers at his elbow, and paid not the slightest regard to truth, and yet did not succeed! B. had evidently been *drinking* before he came.

21^st. I fear me very much that D^r. O'Finan will be committed by the knave Butler to some act of indiscretion of which he will surely have to repent. He passed through Viterbo, I am certain, for no honest purpose.

Received last night an order from the Propaganda for 100 Scudis.

Went to the church of the Capuchins to see the S. Francis of Domenichino, a copy of which in mosaic is in S. Peter's. Had a long walk this evening with Father *Gulielmotti*. He is engaged in writing some account of the Dominican Missions. There has been a letter from Father Lacordaire announcing the opening of his first establishment at Nancy. He is invited to preach the conferences in Paris for the next five years - two months in each year - December and January.

22nd. A visit from Fr. Forte, who leaves for Ireland in a few days. My servant Camillo is ill, which keeps me a close prisoner today - a letter from the Assistant Superioress of Villa Lante, desiring to see me - a visit from Fr. Francis - his tongue and his body appear to have combined to keep moving. I am not likely to hear any thing from Propaganda till after the General Consistory of Monday next.

23^rd. June 1843. Incarcerated again today, on account of my servant's illness. This is the beauty of a Bishop's life in Rome, that he cannot budge abroad without a lacquey [sic] at his heels, unless indeed he set discretion at defiance and go in lay costume like D^r. Clancy - a newspaper from Mr. Troy.

Can there be a possibility of Clancy's reappointment to any new place? It would indeed be a disappointment to me if I heard of his being named to New Brunswick, which had been proposed for me - and which on account of climate I would much prefer to Demerara. It would indeed be a strange event, and would seem as if I were doomed to be thwarted by this [dis?]honest man.

24^th. S. John's Day. Hired a new servant, Francesco. A letter from M. K. Called at Villa Lante and saw the Assistant Superior. Sundry reports on the past of Madame Spada and her friends have reached them concerning M. K. She is accused of going too much into society with Mrs. Garland, who enjoys, it would seem, but an equivocal reputation among the English at Florence. She has been with her at a *      * given by some Jews. Madame S. also complains of receiving no compensation for her attendance on her, and is about returning to Rome.

25^th. Visit from Fr. Francis - from three young Augustinian priests. Francis related that on S. Isidore's day when D^r. Clancy was offering a mission to Fr. Kiltinan, he held out as an inducement a large salary, that he might retire in a few years with plenty of money and that the climate was the best in the world for delicate persons!!! Took a stroll by the Colosseum - noticed on my way a sort of wooden portable chapel resting on a waggon frame upon two wheels, used in some parts of the country for the benefit of the peasants who are working at a distance from any village or town.

26^th. June 1843. A General Congregation of Propaganda today. Changed my order on the Monte di Pietà for 100 scudi. Found in my keyhole cards of Walter Murray and Dean Lyons. My poor servant Camillo died on Saturday - only two days ill. Wrote to M. K. and posted the letter with my own hands. A visit from two young priests.

27^th. Nothing as yet from the Propaganda - a farewell visit from Fr. Forte. Revd. Murphy of the Irish College called. The news from Ireland is rather gloomy. The Government, it is said, are bent on coercive measures - a letter from Mr. O'Reilly. Fr. Murphy of Posterula called to take leave. Returned Mr. Morrogh's visit.

Called on Dean Lyons, whose case came on yesterday and was decided in his favour. He has certainly had a signal triumph over Bishop Feeny. His experience of the manner of bringing a case for decision before the Cardinals assembled in General Congregation is not very flattering to that Tribunal. The *           y's* manage every thing and are open to corruption. A farewell visit from two Sicilian Fathers.

28^th. God grant I may hear something from Propaganda today - this delay is leaving a door open to D^r. Clancy to do mischief. A visit from Fr. Francis, who saw D^r. Lyons and Bp. Clancy on the Pincio on Sunday the 25^th. Can Lyons be pulling with Donovan and Clancy? Can they have worked upon Cardinal Acton to get Clancy off softly? Called on Miss Fielding. Saw the illumination of S. Peter's from Monte Pincio. Nothing from the Propaganda - strange indeed. Advanced to Francesco 12 *Pauls*.

29. June 1843. Paid Camillo's widow the wages due to her late husband. Wrote to D^r. O'Finan and sent the letter by Francesco - a paper from Mr. Troy. Received a most insolent letter from Camillo's wife, who expected I would give her a month's additional pay.

30^th. Passed a rather indifferent night, and feel but poorly this morning - my nerves are in a state of tremulousness that I have seldom experienced - the suspense this week back and continued anxiety is no doubt the cause of it. Two newspapers from Mr. Troy. No message as yet from the Propaganda - this is torture.